England's charge towards a two-day win in the final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston was interrupted when rain forced umpires to suspend play, denying the hosts what had appeared to be an imminent and emphatic victory.
The stoppage came after a period in which England had exerted clear control of proceedings. With conditions and momentum favoring the home side, an early finish on one of the game's shortest possible timeframes seemed likely until the weather intervened.
Rain has frequently played a role in English summers and once again affected the flow of a Test match at a crucial moment. Groundstaff and match officials were left unable to restart play until conditions improved, leaving the outcome unresolved while the teams returned to the dressing rooms.
The interruption will mean more uncertainty for both sides as they await clearer weather to determine whether England can complete the win without the match moving into a later day. The result of the final Test — and any impact on the overall series — now depend on the remainder of play being possible under improved conditions.